Managed discretionary accounts
Your portfolio, looked after all year round.
People ask us about MDAs all the time, so we made a short video. Here's how our managed discretionary account service works, in under two minutes.
What is an MDA?
Think of it as a flight plan for your money. You set the destination and the boundaries. Professionals fly the plane.
We agree your plan
Together we set your investment program: your goals, your strategy and your limits. It's written down and you sign off on it once.
The managers adjust
A professional investment team watches your portfolio full-time and makes changes within your limits as conditions change, without new paperwork for every trade.
You see everything
Your investments stay in your name. Log in any time to see every holding, fee and trade, and we review your program with you at least once a year.
Big swings cost more than you think.
If your portfolio falls 50% and then rises 50%, you're not back where you started. You're down 25%. That's why managing risk matters as much as chasing returns.
Illustrative example only. General advice only.
- $100Starting value
- $50Falls 50%
- $75Rises 50%, still 25% down
Why clients choose our MDA service
Looked after between reviews
Without an MDA, your portfolio mostly gets attention at your annual review. With one, it's managed all year, which matters when markets move in between.
Fewer advice costs
Every change outside an MDA needs a new Statement of Advice and your signature. With an MDA you agree the rules up front, so changes don't each carry that cost.
Built on low-cost index funds
Our MDA portfolios use index funds, which helps keep investment costs down compared with actively managed funds.
Is it right for you?
MDAs aren't for everyone. Here's the honest version.
It may suit you if
- You'd like someone actively looking after your portfolio, not just once a year
- You're approaching or in retirement and care about protecting against big falls
- You want regular updates on what markets are doing
- You'd rather not approve every change yourself
Weigh up
- There are advice, platform and trading fees
- You give up some day-to-day control over individual decisions
- No strategy removes market risk. Your portfolio can still fall in value
- If you're purely chasing the highest growth, it may not be the best fit
Questions we hear a lot
Do I still own my investments?
Yes. The investments are held in your name on an investment platform. With an MDA you give the managers permission to make changes within the limits you agreed; you don't hand over ownership.
Can I see what's happening?
Any time. You can log in and see every holding, fee and trade. The investment managers also send quarterly reports explaining what's been happening in markets and in your portfolio.
What does it cost?
There are advice fees, platform fees and the costs of the investments and trades themselves. Because the portfolios are built on low-cost index funds, investment costs are generally lower than actively managed funds. We set out every fee in writing before you decide.
Do I have to sign off every change?
No. That's the point of an MDA. Without one, each change to your portfolio needs fresh advice and your sign-off, which takes time and costs money. With an MDA, you agree the rules once and changes happen within them.
I'm already on BT Panorama. Do I need to move?
No. The MDA can be set up on your existing BT Panorama account, which keeps things simple.
How often do we review it?
At least once a year, we sit down with you to check your investment program still fits your goals and circumstances, and change it if it doesn't.
General advice only. This information doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether it's appropriate for you and read the relevant FSG, PDS, MDA contract and investment program, and Target Market Determination before deciding. Wealth Matter$ advisers are Authorised Representatives of Lifespan Financial Planning AFSL 229892.
Is an MDA right for you? Let's talk.
Caboolture QLD 4510